DATE: circa 1945–2019
CREATOR: John Wehmer (1927–2019)
EXTENT: One archival box
SCOPE: This collection contains 28 folders, most of which contain documents and ephemera that document the life and career of John Wehmer, a St. Louis–based painter and art instructor. Materials include publications, photographs, newspaper clippings, articles, awards, and documents related to his teaching career.The archival box also holds 24 books/exhibition catalogs, one framed picture, and 2 academic degrees.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: John Wehmer was born in St. Louis in 1927. He attended Washington University before serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After returning to Missouri, he studied art at the University of Missouri and later at Washington University in St. Louis. Active in the mid-twentieth-century St. Louis art community, Wehmer developed an expressive and symbolic abstract style informed by personal experience.
He taught in the Art Department at Lindenwood University from 1959 to 1992, mentoring numerous students and junior faculty members. His work was exhibited widely throughout the United States, including at the St. Louis Art Museum. During summers, he lived and worked in Colorado, producing paintings inspired by the mountain landscape.
ACCESS: This collection is designated M-712. Portions of this collection are housed off-site. Please contact the staff in advance of your visit to coordinate access to these materials for research purposes.
This collection can be viewed on-site in the Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the material may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, subject to condition and other access restrictions. Information on conducting research with the archival collections of the Library, including current building hours and reading room policies, can be found on our Research page. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building on the University of Missouri-St. Louis’ north campus.
PREFERRED CITATION: The preferred citation for this collection is “From the Special Collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.”
INVENTORY:
One archival box containing the following materials:
- Books and exhibition catalogues featuring Wehmer’s work
- Photographs of artwork and early education
- World War II service award
- Bachelor’s and Master’s degree diplomas, including his master’s thesis
- Professional résumé, exhibition lists, and pricing documents
- Teaching materials from Lindenwood University
- Newspaper clippings, articles, correspondence, and personal documents
- Birth certificate
- Records related to The Painter’s Gallery
- Laminated artist biography poster published by ArtNews
Artistic works by Wehmer are not included in this collection; however, the Mercantile Library holds a substantial group of his drawings.
